A young woman awoke slowly, blinking against the dappled sunlight that warmed her bare skin. She sat up, confusion flickering across her face as she took in her surroundings: ancient trees towering above, the ground soft and cool beneath her. There was no sign of civilization—only the quiet, patient watchfulness of the forest.
She hugged her knees to her chest, aware of her vulnerability but also oddly comforted by the embrace of nature. The birdsong overhead seemed to welcome her, weaving through the hush with lilting melodies.
Curiosity overcame fear, and she rose to her feet, brushing bits of moss from her skin. Each step was tentative, toes sinking into the earth as she wandered, searching for clues to her presence here. The forest unfolded before her, every leaf and shadow alive with possibility.
She paused by a small brook, its water clear and cold. Kneeling, she cupped her hands and drank deeply, feeling strength return to her limbs.
She found herself drawn to the glade, stepping lightly over tangled roots and soft grass. The stone beckoned, a silent invitation, and she settled atop it, letting the sun soak into her skin. As she gazed at her reflection in the brook, she wondered who she was, and how she had come to be here.
A sense of peace washed over her, the worries of the world momentarily forgotten beneath the open sky.
The girl stilled as the deer approached, its slender form illuminated by sunlight. It paused, meeting her gaze with quiet understanding, and for a moment, she felt an unspoken bond between them. The deer lowered its head, nibbling at the grass near her feet, and she smiled softly.
The girl extended her hand, palm open, and the deer sniffed her fingers before bounding away, disappearing into the trees.
As the light faded, she recognized the need to find shelter. Rising from the stone, she moved with new confidence, guided by the rhythms of the forest. The world felt both mysterious and welcoming—an untouched place where she could begin anew.
She let herself be drawn into the deeper woods, ready to discover what waited beyond the next hill.
As dusk settled, she paused beneath a towering oak, watching the first stars appear between the branches. She hugged herself, not in fear, but in anticipation of the journey ahead. The forest was vast, but she felt at home—free, alive, and filled with hope.
"Tomorrow, I will find my way," she whispered to the night, her voice blending with the gentle rustle of leaves.
